A10-7850k how much ram for video streaming, multi-tasking, Web browsing, some gaming.

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rramirez1

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I built PCs from 1992 - 2007. I was trying to hold out until next year for AMD's ZEN CPUs but uprading my failing Athlon 64 2.2ghz dual core not cost worthy.

Technology has changed so much since my last build. I have been researching AMD CPU/APU. Many of the reviews, benchmarking test, YouTube videos are dated.

I'm leaning towards A10 7850k or 7870K. So far I have ordered an Asus X88X Pro $89.00, Corsair CX 600M $39.99, Samsung EVO 250gb $89.99.

The APU uses 2gb for IGPU and I plan on using 2-3 GB with Ramdisk.

Thus how much Ram do I need for my use? What specific brand and series of DDR3 2400 that's XMP/AMP compatible?

Eventually plan on adding a discrete GPU to run in Dual Graphics mode thus which Radeon would be compatible (a review stated not all AMD cards compatible ) with the APU that would improve performance, not impede on the R7 IGPU (a review stated the IGPU on the APU is based on the R9) and a card that would not reach a point of diminishing returns price/performance.

Finally I was going to recycle a 15 year old case that was ahead of its time which is currently in use with an Asus mb, Asus video card with heatsink and fan, and AMD 900mghz CPU. The case has a side panel window with a fan, led lights and room for cable mgnt. But it lacks sufficient exhaust and intake fans. Prefer a case with good cable management, window, tool less design, a vertical or sideway mountable with cable connections facing rt. panel for SSD/HDD.

OOPS forgot, any thoughts on 7850k VS 7870k currently only a $15.00 difference. One limited reviews better GPU performance on 7870k but throttled down CPU. Believed to be due to firmware/Bios/drivers.

Desperately need your help as primary pc is on the brink and nor worth upgrading. Trying to keep costs low sinc my PC will not last long or until ZEN CPUs are released and time for pricing reductions. If not for ZEN I was thinking of AMD FX series but more expensive and requires a discrete GPU where APU is optional.

HELP, all feedback appreciated as still have not received all parts ordered and can still return with no restocking or shipping fees.

 
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Zircoben
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Zircoben

Zircoben

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I'd grab 8GB of RAM, DDR3 is cheap these days.

As for RAM speed, I don't think it's worth it to spend extra money on getting the fastest 2400 MHz RAM, and this will do the trick marvelously.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231554&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

It's worth it for a new case, absolutely. Good cases don't even cost that much. For the A88X-PRO (great choice, by the way!) I'd get this if you're on a budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133250&cm_re=window_case-_-11-133-250-_-Product

That case comes with one 120mm fan and you can add 2 more. Pretty good airflow.

As for 7850K vs 7870K, it looks like the 7870K gives a slight advantage in gaming, but not even enough to justify the $15 difference. Check this review out:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9307/the-kaveri-refresh-godavari-review-testing-amds-a10-7870k

Hope this helps :)
 
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rramirez1

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rramirez1

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Thanks for the info Zircoben. The case seems to suite my needs and the memory is inexpensive. Sorry I didn't get the Corsair Vengence Pro series earlier when it was on sale. The gold color would match the ASUS MB I chose.

I had seen the article on Anandtech and on other Tech sites, some were requotes: that's why I posed the question 7850 or 7870. One article mentioned that the single core and CPU performance was incrementally better for the 7850 but mentioned that it could be a firmware/bios issue due to the stepping code on the 7870. I've researched it but haven't found anything new. But according to AMD's Benchmarking charts the 7870 outperforms in all aspects??? I have been loyal to AMD since 1992 and yes they have disappointed with putting a product in the market without having worked all the bugs out and techies outside of AMD find the solutions in a day or two when AMD couldn't explain or respond to the product issues. I'm still a fan because I have never had an AMD CPU fail or not perform up to its specs once all the bugs are worked out.

Since I was waiting for the much anticipated Godavari and researching the 7850K I was somewhat disappointed with the few independent test performed on the 7870.

I have seen a few videos on what the 7850 can do with a discrete gpu that's not dual graphics compatible. I wished I would have saved the videos whereby a R9 series GPU worked in dual graphics and another video whereby using a non dual graphics GPU increased the performance of the APU but the technical details were not disclosed to support the claim of increased performance of the CPU due to resources available from IGPU.

As mentioned in my post it's been 7 years or so since my last build and I'm so confused!!!LOL
Now I'm thinking of spending a few extra bucks and consider and AMD FX CPU or even an Intel CPU and build a system the way I used to Separate CPU and GPU.

I realize that the price to performance based on the Tech experts reviews on the 7850 are in the price point of a enthusiast Intel CPU. The AMD FX 8350 and 8320 are best in price performance ratio but the PCI is gen 2.

Thanks for listening, I'm getting older and more confused maybe I should just stop researching.

In closing I'm looking for an inexpensive, not necessarily cheapest solution for my computing needs.
Web, Multi-Tasking, Video Streaming, photo editing, and limited low to mid video editing.

Thank you again.
 
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Zircoben

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Good choice, i'd steer clear of the 7850/7870K or AMD as a whole really. A discrete GPU and CPU is the best way to build a computer. I think the 7870 is clearly a better CPU, I think AMD just needs to work out some kinks in firmware and stuff (my comprehension of that technical stuff is very limited).

As for the 8350 and 8320 being PCI gen 2, that doesnt even matter. Gen 3 barely upgraded it at all, and no card you can buy would bottleneck it anyway.

I usually only recommend AMD if someone's use case doesn't involve gaming, but editing and multithreaded work on a budget, where the 8320 really shines. In nearly every case though, an Intel CPU is superior. I'd highly recommend getting an Intel i5, even though it's only a quad core they beat ANY AMD CPU gaming.

There are a lot more reasons to go Intel, like power consumption and upgradeability. What's your budget? I think an i5 with a cheaper discrete graphics card would work for you.

If you're an AMD fan though, supposedly the Zen chips are going to bring AMD to Intel's performance now, and probably at a better price.
 
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rramirez1

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rramirez1

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Thank you again for responding. I have actually been looking at some reviews on an I5 and FX 8320. The 8320 is definitely the best bang for the buck but as for as upgrading neither the A10-7870K or any FX chips will be using any existing CPU core sockets. AMD has already announced that the ZEN CPUs and APUs will be using a new AM4+ thus all existing CPU/APUs and related mbs will be obsolete.

As mentioned I have always used Asus components and as most manufacturers when a product reaches its end of product life cycle there's no support.

I have done extensive research on the Zen architecture and new technology and based on the success of the A10-APU the new design and enhancements to the CPU cores and GPU cores in the Zen chips should be far superior to anything they have in the market today. The challenge is to get software/game developers to concurrently work with AMD and vice/versa on the code to support AMD's technology. With Directx12, AMD's HSA, Mantle, Catalyst, Dual graphics, and cross fire, capabilities recent benchmark tests with certain games with code written to utilize the APU's technology have increased performance over 2x. That's pretty incredible performance for a $109.00 APU (at Micro Center) to outperform a 4th generation I5. I'm sure Intel's CPU/IGPU's will benefit from Directx12.

My loyalty remains with ASUS and AMD but since I need to upgrade now I am seriously considering an I5. I'm not familiar with all the nomenclature of Intel's chips, generations, IGPU or non IGPU, hyperthreading, non hyper...etc. and from my limited research its seems that any Intel CPU with IGPU needs a discrete GPU for decent performance. Thus what I5 would you recommend and a low to mid-range GPU $150 +/-.

Again your feedback is sincerely appreciated.

 
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Zircoben

Zircoben

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I'm a big fan of AMD's efforts with their APUs. Having decent graphics and HSA in these budget CPUs with overclocking capabilities across the line makes for a compelling CPU... until they're held back by their cluster-based (I think...?) CPU architecture.

My first PC build I got an A10-5800K for CHEAP and I loved it. The motherboard then conked out and I figured I should go to Intel; so now i'm running with an i5-4590 which is the i5 i'd recommend for you. The thing that's good if you go with Intel is that you can get an H97 or Z97 motherboard and it will be compatible will Intel's soon-approaching Broadwell CPUs, so I'd almost recommend getting a low-end dual core Pentium (which games a bit better than AMD's Athlon 860K / 7850/70K) , which is a $60 unlocked multiplier CPU. Buy a H97 or Z97 motherboard, overclock that chip with the stock cooler to 4.1 GHz or so (did it myself, no issues) and then upgrade to Broadwell when it comes later this year.

If you need a great system NOW, i'd just get the i5-4590, it's not the most expensive i5 but it has the best balance between performance and price in the lineup. I'd also look at the Xeon 1231v3; it's hyperthreaded like the i7 line, and it performs about 20% better than an FX-8350 in multithreaded tasks as a result. It costs about the price of the top-end i5 and gives you i7 performance (just it doesn't have an iGPU).

Okay, now that that is out of the way, lets talk GPUs. For the $150 price range, i'd get a AMD Radeon R9 270. Unbeatable performance for the price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202090&cm_re=r9_270-_-14-202-090-_-Product

The good thing about the R9 270's is that they are essentially the same card as the 270X, but with a lower clock speed. You can easily push the clocks up on that card and get even better performance. This GPU is good for maxing out all settings at 1080p.

Hope this helps :)
 
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